CONCLUSION.
IV.
At this moment the door-handle was touched on the outside, and M. Rouvière sprang hastily from his chair and stationed himself with his back to the fire, looking very straight and stiff and aggressive. The door slowly opened and Mme. Dupuis entered, pushing out, at the same time, the unfortunate cat which was trying to slip in with her.
“No, no, pussy,” said the lady, “you got yourself turned out, and you must stay out. O the naughty men!” she exclaimed, laughingly, as she closed the door, “they have been smoking.”
“Have we been smoking?” said Rouvière, sniffing. “Bless me! I really believe we have; it shows how absent-minded one can be. I hadn’t perceived it, so absorbed were George and I in our great project.”
“What project?” asked madame as she took off her hood and cloak. “Are you going to stay with us, M. Rouvière?”
“Not exactly,” replied the guest, “but for George and me the result is the same. Are you good at guessing riddles, madame?”
“You are not going to take George away with you, are you?” asked the wife, her brown eyes resting firmly on his.
“With your permission, dear lady,” answered Rouvière, bowing with ironical politeness.
“No, no, it cannot be!” exclaimed Mme. Dupuis, with a forced, flickering smile, looking at him inquiringly and speaking low and hurriedly. “You will think me very silly to take a joke so seriously, but I cannot help it. You are playing with my life-spring. Tell me—I pray you tell me, dear M. Rouvière, that you are not going to take my husband away.”